14 Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Davis, CA

1) Afternoon Picnic at the UC Davis Arboretum

Pack a blanket, a bottle of wine, and some cheese from the Davis Food Co-op and head to the UC Davis Arboretum. With 100 acres of gardens, meandering paths along Putah Creek, and quiet benches tucked under redwoods, it's easily the most romantic free date spot in Davis. February afternoons in Davis are usually sunny and around 55°F — perfect for a cozy picnic if you layer up.

2) Wine Tasting at Great Bear Vineyards

Most people don't realize Davis has its own winery. Great Bear Vineyards is a family-run, award-winning vineyard in the Yolo County countryside just outside town. They host wine tastings, chocolate-and-wine pairings, and special Valentine's events each February.

3) Romantic Dinner Downtown

Davis's downtown has some genuinely excellent restaurants that rival Sacramento spots. Our picks for a Valentine's dinner:

• Mikuni — Upscale sushi, beautiful presentation, great cocktails
• Tucos Wine Market & Bar — Intimate wine bar with small plates, perfect date-night atmosphere
• de Vere's Irish Pub — Cozy gastropub with surprisingly romantic upstairs seating
• Osteria Fasulo — Authentic Italian, candlelit tables
• Burgers & Brew — Casual but charming, great craft beer and gourmet burgers

Pro tip: Reserve early! Davis restaurants book up fast for Valentine's weekend. If February 14th is full, try the Thursday or Sunday around it — same romance, easier reservations.

4) Bike Ride Along Putah Creek

Davis is the Bicycle Capital of the United States, so lean into it. Grab your bikes (or rent from a local hotel) and ride the Putah Creek trail at sunset. The path runs from campus through quiet farmland — flat, easy, and beautiful in the golden hour.

5) Mystery Vinyl Date at Armadillo Music

Here's a uniquely-Davis idea from The Dirt: grab a $5 mystery pack of vinyl records from Armadillo Music on G Street. Take them home, cook dinner together, and listen to whatever surprise albums you got. It's cheap, creative, and way more fun than Spotify shuffle.

6) Greenbelt Picnic by Bike

Davis's greenbelt system is 60+ miles of car-free paths winding through neighborhoods, under canopy trees, past ponds. Pack a simple picnic — even deli sandwiches from Nugget Markets — load it into a bike basket, and ride until you find a spot that feels like yours. The Covell Greenbelt and Northstar Park trails are especially scenic.

7) Art Gallery + Coffee Date

Start at the Pence Gallery on D Street — it's free, intimate, and always has interesting rotating exhibits. Then walk to the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on campus (also free). Finish with coffee at Temple Coffee or Mishka's Cafe downtown.

8) Varsity Theatre Movie Night + Gelato

The Varsity Theatre on 2nd Street is Davis's beloved indie cinema. Catch a showing — they often play romantic or classic films around Valentine's — then walk next door for gelato at Bella Strada. It's a simple, old-fashioned date that just works.

9) Make Jewelry at A Better Place to Bead

A Better Place to Bead on G Street lets you sit down and make custom bracelets, necklaces, or earrings together. It's hands-on, creative, and you walk out with something you made for each other. Surprisingly fun even if you've never done it.

10) Farmers Market Date (Saturday)

The Davis Farmers Market runs every Saturday morning in Central Park. Stroll through together, sample fresh produce, grab breakfast tamales or crepes from the food vendors, buy flowers for each other, and listen to the live music. It's casual, fun, and very Davis.

11) Mondavi Center Performance

The Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on campus hosts world-class concerts, dance performances, and speakers. Check their February calendar — they often have something special around Valentine's Day. Pair it with dinner at Mikuni or Osteria Fasulo beforehand.

12) Sketch Date at a Cozy Café

Grab sketchbooks and pencils, settle into a window seat at Mishka's Cafe or Temple Coffee, and draw each other — or the downtown scene outside. You don't need to be good at drawing; that's actually what makes it fun. The laughing at each other's portraits is half the date. On a warm February afternoon, you can take this to the Arboretum instead.

13) Cook Together + Mystery Vinyl Night

Skip the crowded restaurants. Pick up ingredients from the Davis Food Co-op or Nugget Markets, open a bottle of wine, and cook a meal together at home. Pair it with the mystery vinyl idea above — play whatever record you got while you cook. It's the most underrated Valentine's move.

14) Day Trip: Sacramento Old Town + Dinner Back in Davis

Sacramento is only 20 minutes east on I-80. Spend the afternoon exploring Old Sacramento — riverfront walks, the California State Railroad Museum, boutique shopping — then drive back to Davis for dinner. You get the big-city experience without the big-city Valentine's restaurant markup.